•December 17, 2025•
On December 25th, beginning at noon, Countryside Blessings will be serving a free Christmas dinner at 232 New Hope Road in Bethany. Anyone alone for the holidays, as well as the public, is welcome to join for fun, food, and meaningful fellowship. Reservations are appreciated. Call (217) 855-3933 by December 19th.
•December 17, 2025•
On December 20th, between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. at the Family Life Center, 232 W State St, Lovington, the Lovington Park Board will be sponsoring ‘Breakfast with Santa’. Donuts will be provided by Casey’s General Store, and there will be pancakes, biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, bacon, milk, orange juice, and coffee. This event is open to the Lovington community, free of charge.
•December 17, 2025•
The Sullivan News Progress offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 24th, Thursday the 25th, Wednesday the 31st, and January 1st for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Due dates for submission for the weekly December 24th edition are as follows: advertising and article submissions, Friday, December 19th at noon; Obituaries, Sunday, December 21st by 5:00 p.m. The weekly edition of the News Progress will be delivered on Tuesday, December 23rd. Submission due dates for the New Year’s holiday are as follows: advertising and article submissions, Friday, December 26th at noon; Obituaries, Sunday, December 28th by 5:00 p.m. The News Progress will be delivered Tuesday, December 30th.
•December 10, 2025•
On December 24th at 7:00 p.m., there will be a Christmas Eve service at the Allenville Christian Church, located at 201 Allen Street in Allenville. They will be portraying the Christmas Story as well as serving communion. All are welcome to attend. For further information, contact Pastor Bob Vail (217) 254-3433.
•December 10, 2025•
Solid Rock Chapel, located at 1213 E. Jackson Street in Sullivan, will be providing a free Christmas Dinner to all who are interested on December 25th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. This meal is available to be eaten at the church or for pickup/delivery between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. for residents of Sullivan. The meal is ham, green beans, scalloped potatoes, a roll with cinnamon butter, and a dessert. RSVP’s are requested by calling (217) 259-6736 by December 19th.
•December 10, 2025•
The Village of Bethany is continuing their tradition of the Christmas Light Contest. For those who would like to participate, visit the Village Hall at 201 W Main St, Bethany, or call the Village Hall at (217) 665-3351 to get your name on the list
From the time you sign up until December 25th, make sure your Christmas light display is on from dusk until 9:00 p.m. The judges will come by at some point in that time frame to judge all the displays and will choose the winners
This year’s prizes are: 1st Place: $100 Utility Credit; 2nd Place: $50 Utility Credit; 3rd Place: $50 Utility Credit; and (4) Honorable Mentions $25 Utility Credit.
•December 10, 2025•
The Sullivan News Progress offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 24th, Thursday the 25th, Wednesday the 31st, and January 1st for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Due dates for submission for the weekly December 24th edition are as follows: advertising and article submissions, Friday, December 19th at noon; Obituaries, Sunday, December 21st by 5:00 p.m. The weekly edition of the News Progress will be delivered on Tuesday, December 23rd. Submission due dates for the New Year’s holiday are as follows: advertising and article submissions, Friday, December 26th at noon; Obituaries, Sunday, December 28th by 5:00 p.m. The News Progress will be delivered Tuesday, December 30th.
•December 3, 2025•
On December 14th, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., Santa Claus will be at the Lovington American Legion Post #429, 1985 State Highway 32, Lovington. Each child will receive a gift from Santa, with cookies and drinks provided by the Lovington Women’s Auxiliary.
•December 3, 2025•
The Sullivan First United Methodist Church, 216 W Jefferson St, Sullivan, invites the public to attend Pastor Mike Fender’s Retirement celebration on December 14th. Worship service begins at 10:00 a.m. with a celebration at 11:00 a.m. in Friendship Hall.
•December 3, 2025•
The Sullivan American Legion, 8 East Strain Street, Sullivan, is hosting a Holiday Shopping Event on Friday, December 5th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be home-crafted items, direct sales, Christmas greenery, baked goods, boutique items, and more. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.
Those interested in having a booth at the Holiday Shopping Event can contact Tina Bolsen at (217) 620-8185. Highway Heartburn will be in the parking lot serving smashburgers.